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Migrant Labor Housing

Migrant Labor Housing
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Migrant Labor Housing

The Migrant Labor Housing (MLH) program is designed to ensure the safety of housing occupied by five or more migrant agricultural workers. Licensure indicates safe water supplies, proper food preparation/storage facilities, fire/structural safety, and proper waste disposal. The agricultural industry employs many migrant farm workers in the planting, cultivating, harvesting, and packaging of the many labor-intensive crops grown in Michigan. Safe housing is essential in securing these seasonal agricultural workers, keeping Michigan agriculture vibrant, and ensuring the continuity of our food supply. Licensed migrant housing exists throughout the Lower and parts of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan at approximately 950 licensed housing camps, including approximately 5,000 living units, with a capacity exceeding 28,000 people. The MLH Program operates under the authority granted by Migrant Labor Housing Rules and Standards (Part 124 of P.A. 368 of 1978, as amended).

Licensing Process

Who Needs to have a Migrant Labor Housing License?

A migrant labor housing license is required when housing is provided to 5 or more migratory agricultural laborers. A “migratory laborer” means a person working, or available for work, who moves seasonally one (or more) time(s) from one place to another from within or without the state for the purpose of such employment or availability, or who is employed in the growing of mushrooms.

How do I get licensed?

Before starting a new housing project, contact program staff for a free of charge consultation and plan review. Here is a list of inspectors with their respective coverage areas. Your inspector will walk you through every step of the MLH inspection process and provide you with the required information and documentation required for licensure.

Compliance Assistance

The documents, drawings, and information below are intended to assist housing providers. Please contact your Migrant Labor Housing Inspector with questions or for additional resources.

Sample Migrant Labor Housing Construction Plans

The following plans meet Part 124 housing standards. For proper scaling print the below plans on 11"x17" (legal) paper at 100% scale.